Devising a Plan

The room was tense, the air thick with unspoken questions. Jane stood off to the side, her arms crossed, her eyes fixed on the floor. She already knew what was coming—Elara's earlier words and the context of their recent conversations made it clear. But she stayed quiet, letting the others take the lead.

Elara stepped closer to the cot where Changra lay, her silver hair glinting faintly in the dim light. She took a deep breath before turning to face the gathered group. Her voice, though calm, carried the weight of authority and urgency.

"I've brought you here because the situation with Changra has become… precarious," Elara began, her gaze sweeping over the group. Her eyes lingered on Jane for a brief moment, almost as if silently acknowledging her. "What you see before you isn't just a boy in a coma. It's a storm waiting to break."

Thorne, ever the one to speak first, shifted uncomfortably. "A storm? He doesn't look like much of a storm to me," he said, gesturing vaguely at Changra's unconscious body. "Looks more like a kid who took a nap at the wrong time."

Aria shot him a sharp look, but Elara didn't respond to his comment. Instead, she pressed on, her tone growing more somber. "This is more than just his state. Changra is… connected to something far greater. Something far more dangerous than we ever anticipated."

Jane tensed but said nothing, her gaze flickering briefly to Aetterus. The man's smirk hadn't faded, and his eyes gleamed with a knowing glint, as though he were silently savoring the moment.

Elara's voice softened slightly. "I believe Changra's consciousness is trapped—locked within his own mind. And while his body rests here, his power grows unstable. If we don't act soon, the consequences could be catastrophic."

The room fell silent. Even Thorne's usual quips were absent as the gravity of Elara's words settled over them.

Aetterus finally spoke, his voice smooth and laced with a touch of amusement. "And I suppose you've brought us here to volunteer for the task of saving the boy, haven't you, Elara?"

Elara's gaze snapped to Aetterus, her expression hardening. "This isn't a joke, Aetterus. You know what's at stake."

Aetterus shrugged, his smirk widening. "Oh, I know. I'm simply curious how you plan to handle this without losing someone in the process."

Elara didn't respond immediately, her lips pressing into a thin line. Instead, her eyes turned to Jane, and for the briefest moment, something unreadable flickered across her face. "That's why I've called all of you. Because if we're going to bring Changra back, it will require more than just one of us. It will require all of you."

Aria's voice cut through the tense silence like a sharp blade. "Before we agree to anything… how do we even know that's the real Changra?" She crossed her arms, her green eyes narrowing as they flicked to the unconscious boy. "I mean, sure, he looks like him, but this is Elakia. Magic, illusions, and all kinds of things can twist what we think is real."

Thorne tilted his head, scratching the back of his neck. "She's got a point. For all we know, it could be some weird magic thingy. Or, uh… maybe he's a changeling or somethin'. Been readin' about those lately."

Jane stiffened, her lips pressing into a thin line as she glanced at Elara. She wanted to defend Changra—she needed to—but the doubt gnawed at her. Even if he was the same person she had searched for over three years, something was undeniably different about him.

Elara sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly as though the weight of the question pressed on her as well. "I understand your hesitation, Aria. And I won't pretend I haven't questioned it myself. But it is him."

"How can you be so sure?" Aria pressed, her voice unwavering. "We don't know what happened during those years, or even if this is some kind of trap. If we're walking into his mind, we're taking a risk. What if this isn't the Changra we knew?"

Elara's gaze softened as she turned to Aria. "Because I've seen the fragments of his memories—the pain he carries. No illusion could replicate that. No magic could fabricate something so deeply rooted in who he is. This is Changra."

Aria frowned, her arms tightening across her chest. "Maybe. But it's still a gamble. And if you're wrong, we're risking everything for someone who could be nothing more than a puppet for something darker."

Jane couldn't stay quiet any longer. "It's him," she said firmly, her voice cutting through the conversation. "I don't care how much he's changed or what's happened to him. I know it's him."

Aria studied her for a moment, then sighed and shook her head. "Alright. If you say so, Jane. But if this goes sideways, don't say I didn't warn you."

Aetterus chuckled softly, the sound dripping with amusement. "Ah, the eternal doubt of youth. How refreshing." His smirk grew as his gaze lingered on Changra. "I'd stake quite a lot on him being the real thing. But then again, I'm a gambling man."

Elara shot him a warning glance but didn't engage. Instead, she turned back to the group, her tone resolute. "We can debate this all day, but it doesn't change the fact that time is running out. If we don't act, whatever is festering inside of him could destroy him—and possibly more than just him."

The room fell silent again, the weight of the situation settling over everyone. Jane glanced at Changra, her heart aching as she saw the boy she once knew lying so still, so vulnerable.

Aria let out a reluctant sigh. "Alright. What's the plan?"

Aetterus leaned back against the wall, the faint flicker of torchlight casting strange shadows across his face. His ever-present smirk widened, his hazel eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and something far darker. He cleared his throat theatrically, drawing everyone's attention.

"Well," he began, dragging out the word as if savoring it, "it's quite simple, really. We'll be venturing into our dear Changra's mind. Think of it as a… journey into the abyss, if you will." His voice carried an unsettling excitement, as though he were describing a fascinating experiment rather than a perilous undertaking.

Aria frowned. "Into his mind? That's possible?"

Aetterus clicked his tongue, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "My dear Aria, everything is possible with the right magic." He gestured toward Changra's still form with a flourish. "And this boy, this magnificent enigma, is the key. You see, his power… it's unparalleled. The way it draws from chaos itself, bending the rules of this little game we call existence? Fascinating."

Jane's jaw tightened, her discomfort with Aetterus's tone growing by the second. "This isn't a game," she said sharply.

Aetterus tilted his head, his smile unshaken. "Oh, but everything is a game, my dear. Life, death, the very essence of magic—it's all part of a grander design. And Changra, well, he's a rather intriguing piece on the board."

Elara cleared her throat, her expression stern. "Stay focused, Aetterus. Explain the plan without the theatrics."

Aetterus sighed dramatically, but his smirk remained. "Fine, fine. No appreciation for flair, as usual." He gestured toward Changra. "His mind is in chaos. Fragments of his past, his fears, his rage—it's all locked inside, battling for control. We, my dear companions, are going to step into that chaos and find him."

"Step into it?" Thorne asked, scratching his head. "How're we supposed to do that?"

"With magic, of course," Aetterus replied, waving a hand as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "A rather complex spell, if I do say so myself, but one I've perfected over the years. We'll tether our consciousnesses to his and dive into the swirling maelstrom of his thoughts."

Aria's frown deepened. "And what happens if something goes wrong? What if we get trapped in there?"

Aetterus's grin widened, his voice dripping with mock reassurance. "Oh, my dear Aria, what's life without a little risk? But, if you insist on technicalities, I've prepared safeguards. If something goes awry, I'll pull you out. Probably."

"Probably?" Jane's voice was sharp, her eyes narrowing at him.

Aetterus chuckled, a low, unsettling sound. "I jest. Mostly. The point is, this is our best chance to bring Changra back. And, if we succeed, imagine the possibilities." His voice grew quieter, more reverent. "His power, unrestrained, unleashed… it could reshape everything. Oh, the things he could do."

Jane bristled, taking a step forward. "We're not doing this to see how powerful he can get. We're doing this to save him."

Aetterus held up his hands in mock surrender, though his smirk remained. "Of course, of course. Save the boy, bring him back to his senses. That's the noble goal. But," his eyes gleamed with a dangerous intensity, "let's not pretend we're not curious. Changra's potential is… limitless."

Elara's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Enough, Aetterus. We're doing this to save him, nothing more. If you can't stay focused on that, then you're not part of this."

Aetterus's smile faltered for a fraction of a second, but he quickly recovered. "Oh, I'm focused, Elara. Trust me. No one wants to see this through more than I do."

Aetterus adjusted his patchwork cloak with a dramatic flourish, his grin as sharp as ever. "Now then," he began, his tone both playful and sinister, "before we dive into this little venture, I'll need your consent. This isn't a spell for the faint-hearted, my dear companions. Entering the mind of someone like Changra—well, let's just say it's not exactly a stroll through the forest."

Aria crossed her arms, her frown deepening. "You're asking us to walk into the mind of a boy who's fused with a cursed dagger, harbors unimaginable chaos, and nearly tore apart half the guild in a rage. Do you really expect us to agree to this?"

Aetterus tilted his head, his smirk unwavering. "Yes."

"Absolutely not!" Aria's voice rose, her frustration clear. "This is insane! We don't even know if this will work. And what happens to us if we get stuck? Or worse, what if we're corrupted by whatever's in there?"

"Corrupted?" Aetterus repeated, his hazel eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh, Aria, you wound me. Do you think I'd send you into something without precautions? I've designed this spell with the utmost care. And besides," his tone grew darker, "if we don't do this, Changra's chaos will eventually consume him. And when that happens… well, let's just say we'll have far bigger problems than a few risks."

Aria threw up her hands. "This is madness! There has to be another way."

Thorne, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. "Look, Aria, I ain't one for magic and all that fancy stuff, but if this is what it takes to save him, I'm in. Changra—Kael, or whatever he calls himself—he's worth it."

Aria stared at Thorne, incredulous. "Thorne, you can't be serious. Do you even understand what's at stake here?"

Thorne shrugged, his expression unusually solemn. "I don't need to understand everything. I just know Changra ain't a bad guy. He's been through hell, and if we can help him, we should."

Jane's voice cut through the tension, soft but resolute. "I'll do it."

All eyes turned to her, and she met their gazes with unwavering determination. "Changra saved my life more times than I can count. He's done everything he could for all of us, even when it meant sacrificing himself. If there's a chance to bring him back, I'm taking it."

Aria shook her head, her voice trembling with anger and fear. "You don't understand what you're agreeing to. We're walking into the mind of someone who's… broken. He could hurt us. He could destroy us!"

Jane's gaze didn't waver. "And if we do nothing, we lose him forever. I won't let that happen."

Aetterus clapped his hands together, his grin widening. "Well, well, it seems we have a divided house. But I must admit, I do enjoy a bit of drama. So, my dear Aria, are you going to let your fear hold us back? Or will you take the plunge and do something truly remarkable?"

Aria clenched her fists, her heart pounding. The room fell silent, the weight of the decision pressing down on everyone.

Jane stepped forward, her voice trembling but resolute as she addressed Aria. "Aria, I know this sounds crazy. It is crazy. But we don't have a choice. This isn't just about Changra—this is about all of us. About the world."

Aria crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "You're asking me to risk everything for someone who might not even be worth saving. What if he's too far gone?"

Jane's eyes flashed, her voice growing firmer. "He's not. You don't know him the way I do. Changra… he's stronger than anyone I've ever met. He's the only one who's ever stood up to a Sin and won. Do you understand what that means? He's the key to all of this."

Aria shook her head. "And what if he's the problem? What if he's the one who brings it all down in the end?"

Jane hesitated for a moment, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. Then, she took a deep breath and said the words she had been holding back. "Because I love him."

The room fell silent. Even Aetterus, who had been watching with his usual smirk, raised an eyebrow in surprise. Jane clenched her fists, her voice growing softer but no less passionate. "I love him, Aria. And I know that sounds selfish, especially now. But it's not just that. He's… he's all I think about. Even when I don't want to. Even when I know I shouldn't. He's in my head constantly, and it's not just affection—it's… something stronger. Something darker."

She looked down, her voice faltering for a moment. "I know what's happening to me, Aria. I know I'm not the same person I was. Lust—it's taking over. And I hate it. But if anyone can stop me from falling further, it's him. He's the only one who's ever stood against a Sin and won. If we can save him, maybe we can find a way to stop the others, too. Even me."

Aria's eyes widened, her stance softening as she took in Jane's words. Jane pressed on, her voice pleading now. "If you won't do it for him, or for me, do it for the world. For all the people out there who don't even know what's coming. Changra might be the only one who can stand against the Sins. And if we don't save him now, we lose everything. Please, Aria. I can't do this without you."

The room was silent for a long moment. Aria's gaze flickered to Thorne, who gave her a small nod of encouragement, then to Aetterus, whose grin was now unnervingly smug. Finally, her eyes rested on Jane, who was trembling with barely contained emotion.

Aria let out a slow breath, her shoulders sagging in defeat. "Fine," she said quietly. "I'll do it. But if this goes south, I'm holding you responsible."

Jane's lips parted in a mix of relief and gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly. "Thank you."

Aetterus clapped his hands together, his grin practically splitting his face. "Oh, splendid! A unified front, at last. Now, let's prepare to dive into the delightful chaos that is Changra's mind, shall we?"